Global Heritage Fund

2011 PROJECT UPDATES:

Click the above photo to view Planning slideshow.

Planning:

In 2011, Professor Masao Nishimura of Waseda University began the process of revising the original UNESCO Master Plan, now over a decade old.

Click the above photo to view Conservation Science slideshow.

Conservation Science:

During 2011 the restoration activity of Nandin Hall has been mainly focused on partly dismantling and then remounting the southern part of the building.
A temporary roof was set up over Nandin Hall, protecting the Southern part of the building from exposure during the rainy season while conservation work took place.
The project team has made contributions to 4 different scientific articles in 2011, contributing immensely to the global recognition of the site.

Click the above photo to view Community Development slideshow.

Community:

Local business creation has increased substantially in response to the 23% per year average growth in tourism to the site. Locally owned guest-houses are the most prevalent form of accommodation in the Champasak area.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Vat Phou UNESCO inscription, a ballet was organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Champasak Province which included multiple local communities involved in different cultural performances recalling historical events since Khmer time.

Partnerships:

The Lao Ministry of Culture has provided co-funding for the renting of office space in addition to a crane for aiding stone removal, collectively equivalent to $73,500.

In 2009-2010, significant progress was made at Wat Phu, including:

Planning

The UNESCO Master Plan is now being updated (every 5 years) to include new villages in the 400 square mile site as well as archaeological conservation priorities and technical specifications. The Master Plan guides both site conservation and surrounding urban development.

Conservation Science

Nandin Hall, GHF’s focus within the Wat Phu ensemble, has now been stabilized.
A drainage system has been installed beneath Nandin Hall to minimize damage from excessive rain and water retention.
The Ceremonial Road – the primary access route to the site – has been restored using all authentic materials, and statuary along the road has been excavated and reinstalled.

Community

45 full-time staff now work on the site, including 12 engineers and architects, up from just four at the start of the GHF project.
Under the mentoring of Project Director Patrizia Zolese, one project archaeologist has now received his PhD from the University of Hanoi and become the #2 figure in the Lao Ministry of Culture Archaeology Department.
Another project member has received a Masters degree from Waseda University.
GHF supported the authentic restoration of a community library in the town of Champasak today used by all peoples as a community meeting and study space equipped with furnishings and hundreds of books.
The 10th Anniversary of Wat Phu’s UNESCO World Heritage List inscription was celebrated by the townspeople in February.
Visitation to the site has grown from under 20,000 a year in 2005 at the start of the HF Project to over 250,000 in 2010, of which 200,000 were international visitors paying $6 each and generating nearly $1.2 million in revenues.

Partnerships

The Italian government has provided equal matching funding of over $240,000 to the Wat Phu Project.
The Laotian government is now funding the site’s permanent staff and facilities.
A crane and other equipment has been provided for onsite maintenance and conservation efforts.
A new $800,000 museum has been established with Japanese funding, with exhibits and collections prepared by the GHF Project team.